A NEWTON Aycliffe headteacher is celebrating after winning a magnum of champagne.

Mike Thornton, headteacher at Greenfield School Community and Arts College, won the champagne in a prize draw.

The event was organised by The Castle Players drama group, and was open to members of the audience attending the group's open air production of Shakespeare's As You Like It.

The production took place over four consecutive days in July this year, in the grounds of The John and Josephine Bowes Museum, at Barnard Castle.

More than 2,200 people attended the show which received widespread local acclaim.

Darlington Building Society sponsors the Castle Players, and Joanne Charlton, marketing officer for the society, had the task of making the presentation.

She said: "The production of As You Like It was a tremendous success and was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone, but to win a further bonus of a magnum of champagne is really the icing on the cake."